TOKYO -- Coca-Cola Japan said it will begin deploying its energy-saving "peak-shift" vending machines, developed with Fuji Electric, in January. These venders draw most power during late-night hours, when overall power consumption is low.

The beverage giant plans to install 25,000 units nationwide in the first year and invest 10 billion yen ($121 million) in the eco-friendly vending machine project.

A two-month field test that began in July demonstrated that if a machine is cooled at night, when there is relatively little demand for power, and turned off during the daytime peak-demand period, the venders could keep drinks cold for up to 16 hours, reducing daytime power consumption by 95%. | READ MORE

"Coca-Cola Japan has continually developed its vending machines over the past 50 years in pursuit of greater consumer convenience," said Coca-Cola Japan executive vice-president and general manager Tim Brett. "After the earthquake disaster last year, the need to reduce energy consumption has increased and we take our responsibility as market leader very seriously. With these peak-shift vending machines, we have realized environmentally friendly innovation. These could be called the most revolutionary vending machines in the past 50 years of vending machine history."